Don't Miss the Joke

Many of the comments posted have rightly argued that this book is fool of gossip. But does that lesson the book's merit? Austen's portrayal of the characters is ironic and satirical. I view the story as very funny. Jane Austen is hilarious in the way she depicts the characters. I laughed out loud when Mrs. Bennet was pleased to hear that Jane was ill because that meant she would stay under the same roof as Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bennet sarcastically points out his wife's idiocy when he says, "...if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in a pursuit of Mr. Bingley."